The 1979 Porsche 930 sits at a key moment in the early turbocharged 911 story, combining compact rear-engine packaging with the wider stance and sharper road presence that made the Turbo such a distinct car of its era. Tire fitment matters here because this 930 uses a staggered radial setup, with 205/55R16 up front and 225/50R16 at the rear on 16-inch rims. That means the real choice is not just finding the right sizes, but selecting the right tire character within those sizes, from performance-focused blackwall options to a more unusual whitewall presentation up front. Owners should match tire selection to the car's front-to-rear balance, wheel setup, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Porsche 930
The 1979 Porsche 930 uses two primary tire sizes, and the difference is tied directly to position on the car rather than interchangeable fitment. Both are radial tires on 16-inch rims, but the first step is confirming whether you are replacing the front or rear tires, since the 205/55R16 front size and 225/50R16 rear size serve different roles in the staggered setup.
205/55R16 is a metric radial size in which 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1979 Porsche 930, this is the front tire size, so its job is tied to steering response and the car's intended front-to-rear balance. Available choices include BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic options, with blackwall offerings as well as a wide whitewall version. This is the size to evaluate when refreshing the front axle while preserving the proper staggered relationship with the rear tires.
225/50R16 is also a metric radial size, with a wider 225-millimeter nominal section width, a 50-series profile, and a 16-inch rim diameter. On the 1979 Porsche 930, this size is used at the rear, where it supports the car's staggered fitment and should be treated as a rear-specific selection rather than a general replacement size. Product choices in this size include BFGoodrich and Michelin blackwall radials across several performance-oriented series. This is the size to confirm when replacing rear tires and checking that wheel width and overall setup still match the car as it sits today.
Sub-model fitment on the 1979 Porsche 930 is straightforward in one sense and important in another: the front and rear positions use different tire sizes. Checking the exact front or rear application matters before ordering, because the staggered setup is part of how this car is meant to sit and drive.
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1979 Porsche 930 Turbo Front
The 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo Front uses a 205/55R16 radial tire on a 16-inch rim. That makes front-tire selection more about choosing the right radial within the correct size and wheel-width range than comparing multiple front fitments.
The 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo Rear uses a 225/50R16 radial tire on a 16-inch rim. Rear tire selection should stay focused on that position-specific size so the car's staggered arrangement, wheel compatibility, and overall balance are preserved.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1979 Porsche 930 Tires for Sale
Available 1979 Porsche 930 tire choices center on 205/55R16 front and 225/50R16 rear radials from BFGoodrich, Michelin, and American Classic. The main differences in the product grid are tire series, blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, and rim-width compatibility by size.
These FAQs focus on the staggered 16-inch tire fitment used by the 1979 Porsche 930, along with front-versus-rear sizing, radial tire selection, appearance choices, and the wheel and condition checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Porsche 930?
A 1979 Porsche 930 uses two tire sizes rather than one all-around fitment: 205/55R16 at the front and 225/50R16 at the rear. Both are radial tires mounted on 16-inch rims, and the size difference is part of the car's staggered setup.
That means tire selection starts with identifying position on the car before choosing a product. A front tire should remain in the 205/55R16 size and a rear tire should remain in the 225/50R16 size unless the car has been modified, because mixing up the sizes can upset wheel compatibility, clearance, and the intended front-to-rear balance.
What size rim does a 1979 Porsche 930 use?
The 1979 Porsche 930 uses 16-inch rims with both of its primary tire sizes. The front 205/55R16 and rear 225/50R16 are both built around a 16-inch rim diameter, so replacement tires need to match that wheel diameter.
Rim diameter is only the first check, though, because width also matters once you compare actual tire options. Front tires in this fitment are matched to narrower rim-width ranges than the rear tires, so it is smart to confirm the wheel dimensions on the car before ordering, especially if the 930 has aftermarket wheels or a changed suspension setup.
Why does the 1979 Porsche 930 have more than one tire size?
The 1979 Porsche 930 has more than one tire size because it uses a staggered fitment, with 205/55R16 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear. The front and rear tires are assigned different sizes on purpose rather than being interchangeable positions.
For the owner, that changes the buying process in a practical way: front and rear tires should be treated as separate fitment decisions. Replacing only one axle, rotating tires side to side only, or ordering a full set without confirming front-versus-rear sizing can create problems, so matching each tire to the correct position is the first step before comparing brands, series, or sidewall style.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing tires for a 1979 Porsche 930?
Start with the staggered fitment itself: 205/55R16 belongs on the front and 225/50R16 belongs on the rear. From there, compare radial construction details, wheel-width compatibility, and the type of driving the car actually sees, whether that is occasional collector use, regular road driving, or a more performance-focused setup.
The available choices also differ by tire series, brand, and appearance. Most options are blackwall radials from BFGoodrich and Michelin, while the front size also includes an American Classic wide whitewall, so the right tire depends on whether the priority is maintaining a traditional performance look, creating a custom presentation, or balancing appearance with the wheel setup already on the car.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Porsche 930 tires?
Sidewall style choices for the 1979 Porsche 930 include blackwall options in both primary sizes, plus a wide whitewall option in the 205/55R16 front size. That means the typical visual direction stays performance-oriented and understated, but there is also room for a more distinctive appearance at the front.
Sidewall style should be chosen with the whole car in mind, not as an isolated detail. A blackwall presentation keeps the focus on the 930's purposeful stance, while a whitewall introduces a custom visual element that may suit a personalized build more than a restoration-oriented one, so it helps to think about the car's wheels, paint, trim, and intended character before deciding.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Porsche 930?
Tires for the 1979 Porsche 930 are available from BFGoodrich and Michelin in both primary sizes, and American Classic also appears in the 205/55R16 front size. Within those brands, the available products span several radial series rather than a single all-purpose option.
Brand choice should be considered alongside the details that affect fitment and presentation. Some products emphasize a modern blackwall performance look, while another introduces a wide whitewall appearance, and rim-width compatibility also differs by tire size, so the smartest comparison is size first, then wheel match, then the brand and series that best align with how the car is used.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Porsche 930?
A period-style starting point for a 1979 Porsche 930 is to stay with the correct staggered radial sizing: 205/55R16 front and 225/50R16 rear. Blackwall radials are the most natural visual fit for the car's late-1970s Turbo character, especially when the goal is to preserve a clean, purposeful sports-car presentation.
The final choice depends on whether the car is being restored, preserved, or personalized. If exact originality matters, the safest course is to compare tire appearance against marque references, period photos, and vehicle-specific documentation, while owners who simply want the right era feel can focus on correct size, proper stance, and a sidewall treatment that does not visually fight the wheel and body package.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1979 Porsche 930?
On a 1979 Porsche 930, tire construction is less about choosing between bias-ply and radial than about selecting the right kind of radial presentation. Since the car uses modern metric radial sizes, the visual differences come more from sidewall style, tread character, and the overall proportion of the front and rear tires than from construction type alone.
That makes correct sizing especially important in a restoration-oriented build. A proper 205/55R16 front and 225/50R16 rear combination preserves the staggered look that suits the 930's flared bodywork, while a mismatched profile or an appearance-driven choice that ignores the front-to-rear relationship can make the car look visually off even before it is driven.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Porsche 930?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1979 Porsche 930 even when the correct tire sizes are known. The car's primary fitment is 205/55R16 in front and 225/50R16 in the rear, but aftermarket wheels, altered wheel widths, suspension changes, or body modifications can change how those sizes sit on the car.
That is why the wheel and vehicle setup should be checked before replacing tires on a modified example. Measuring actual wheel width, confirming 16-inch diameter, and looking at steering, fender, and suspension clearance are all worthwhile, because a tire that matches the original size still needs to suit the way the individual car has been configured over time.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Porsche 930 on new tires?
Before driving a 1979 Porsche 930 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, verify that the front tires are 205/55R16 and the rears are 225/50R16, and confirm that each tire is seated properly on the correct 16-inch wheel. Tire pressure should also be set correctly, and the tires should be checked for any obvious mounting or clearance issues.
A careful walk-around is especially worthwhile on a collector-era Porsche. Turn the steering from lock to lock, look for contact at the fenders and suspension points, and recheck the car after the first short drive for rubbing, air loss, or unusual wear patterns, since those signs often reveal wheel-width or alignment issues that are easier to address early.
How should tires on a collector 1979 Porsche 930 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1979 Porsche 930 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and attention to age as well as tread. Because the car uses a staggered setup, the front 205/55R16 and rear 225/50R16 tires should be monitored as separate positions rather than treated like a uniform set.
Low-mileage collector use can hide tire deterioration, so sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, flat spotting, and slow air loss all deserve attention before the car goes back on the road. Storage also matters: keeping the 930 away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition between drives and reduces surprises when the car is brought out again.
